Kendrick Lamar appears at the MTV Video Music Awards in Inglewood, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2017, left, and SZA appears in the press room at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles on April 1, 2024. The pair announced the Grand National Tour, which will hit 19 stadiums across North America next spring and summer. (AP Photo)
Kendrick Lamar and SZA are teaming up for a major tour in 2025, announcing their Grand National Tour on Tuesday morning. The duo will perform in 19 stadiums across North America, with a single Canadian stop in Toronto on June 12.
This announcement comes just weeks after Lamar dropped his latest album, GNX, which features SZA on two tracks: Luther and the album closer, Gloria. Critics have praised the album, with the Associated Press noting it draws on themes of pride, anger, and confidence reminiscent of Lamar’s Grammy-nominated Not Like Us. That track, released on May 4, is widely regarded as the breakout hit of Lamar’s public feud with fellow rapper Drake.
Not Like Us debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, igniting controversy for its sharp lyrics accusing Drake of predatory behavior. While the feud appeared to simmer down, recent developments suggest otherwise. Last month, Drake filed two legal petitions against Universal Music Group (UMG), which distributes music for both artists, and Spotify. Drake alleges that UMG and Spotify manipulated streaming data to unfairly boost Lamar’s diss track during their high-profile dispute. A second filing accuses UMG of defamation, claiming the company allowed Not Like Us to be released despite its accusations against him.
Legal experts view Drake's petitions as an unusual move that could set new precedents for the entertainment industry. According to attorney Bryan Sullivan, these filings are likely a prelude to a formal lawsuit and aim to gather evidence for future legal action.
UMG has denied the allegations, calling them "contrived and absurd." In a statement to the Associated Press, the company said, “The suggestion that UMG would undermine its own artists is offensive and untrue. Fans choose the music they love, not fabricated narratives.” Spotify declined to comment on the matter.
Despite the ongoing drama, Lamar and SZA are moving forward with their tour, which kicks off on April 19 in Minneapolis and concludes on June 18 in Washington, D.C.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m. local time. Canadian fans can access a Live Nation pre-sale on Wednesday using the code: JOY.
As tensions linger, the tour promises to showcase the artistry that has kept both Lamar and SZA at the forefront of the music scene. Whether the feud continues to cast a shadow remains to be seen, but the duo’s collaboration is likely to draw massive crowds next spring and summer.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA 2025 tour dates
- April 19 — Minneapolis, at U.S. Bank Stadium
- April 23 — Houston, at NRG Stadium
- April 26 — Arlington, Texas, at AT&T Stadium
- April 29 — Atlanta, at Mercedes Benz Stadium
- May 3 — Charlotte, North Carolina, at Bank of America Stadium
- May 5 — Philadelphia, at Lincoln Financial Field
- May 8 — East Rutherford, New Jersey, at MetLife Stadium
- May 9 — East Rutherford, New Jersey, at MetLife Stadium
- May 12 — Foxborough, Massachusetts, at Gillette Stadium
- May 17 — Seattle, at Lumen Field
- May 21 — Los Angeles, at SoFi Stadium
- May 23 — Los Angeles, at SoFi Stadium
- May 27 — Glendale, Arizona, at State Farm Stadium
- May 29 — San Francisco, at Oracle Park
- May 31 — Las Vegas, at Allegiant Stadium
- June 4 — St. Louis, at The Dome at America's Center
- June 6 — Chicago, at Soldier Field
- June 10 — Detroit, at Ford Field
- June 12 — Toronto, at Rogers Centre
- June 16 — Hershey, Pennsylvania, at Hersheypark Stadium
- June 18 — Washington, D.C., at Northwest Stadium
